Jason Ricci group defies labels

The band has released its
second CD.

By JOHN BENSON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

Jason Ricci and New Blood have returned to the new CD bin with their latest album, “Rocket Number 9.”

The album, a follow-up to the group’s 2006 debut, “Blood on the Road,” finds the potent singer-harmonica player and backing band delving into an intoxicating blend of blues, rock, funk jazz and more.

However, you’re better served by not asking Ricci, a seasoned music veteran at age 34, what the band was hoping to accomplish with its new disc.

“There’s no pretense to it or decision-making in the songwriting process of, ‘Well, we were formerly a blues band but in order to reach a larger demographic in the 20 to 30 range, I think it’s best that we expand beyond pre-war Chicago blues and move into something a little more into the jam-rock, rock-jam Bonnaroo category,’ said Ricci, calling from his Nashville home. “That never took place.”

What may seem to be a pointed response from yet another disgruntled musician is actually the byproduct of Ricci’s reading too many record reviews from critics who he feels spend way too much time debating what genre (or box) — jam band, jazz act, world music — best defines “Rocket Number 9.”

It’s music, man, and more and more folks are falling under the spell of Jason Ricci & New Blood. Ricci, who was raised in Portland, Maine, was a prodigious mouth harpist and singer, who by the age of 21 had won the Sonny Boy Blues Society contest and was soon performing alongside Susan Tedeschi, Billy Gibson and Bobby Little. Eventually he released his debut solo album, “Feel Good Funk,” and formed the band that would become New Blood. 

Whatever evolution the outfit has experienced over the past few years, there is a tangible difference between the raw-sounding “Blood on the Road” and the more polished “Rocket Number 9.” 

“‘Blood on the Road’ was recorded in less than eight hours, where with ‘Rocket Number 9’ we had a week to record the thing,” Ricci said. “So it was a lot more involved.” The results speak for themselves with Ricci’s favorite song being the 11-minute “Loving Eyes,” which he views as a classical musiclike track because of its multiple changes. 

Fans of Ricci, who has played many memorable shows at Johnny’s in Youngstown, will have a chance to hear all of the new material in its glory when the outfit plays Monday at Tully’s Steakhouse in Sharon, Pa.

Invariably, there is momentum behind Ricci & New Blood as new audiences — both blues purists and jam-band freaks — discover the power and sound of this potent act.

However, Ricci is the first person to tell you any additional spotlight is based more on promotion than a movement.

That’s what keeps Ricci and his bandmates working more than 300 days a year.

“Yeah, we definitely feel momentum,” Ricci said. “But I’d say it’s mostly money. Our record label has been pushing the record harder than ever. We’ve been making similar types of music for a long time. It hasn’t helped to get more people out. It has to do with advertising, distribution, recognition, promotion, sales.

“That’s the honest answer. I’d love to tell you it was us, that we happened upon something really brilliant and the young kids are digging it, but no, it’s been money.”